Disney May Be Officially Retiring Slave Leia From All ‘Star Wars’ Merchandise

Recently, in a feature in Interview magazine, original Star Wars star Carrie Fisher implored new Star Wars star Daisy Ridley, “Don’t be a slave like I was,” in reference to the gold, metal bikini Princess Leia wore in Return of the Jedi. Fisher, who previously referred to that bikini as “what supermodels will eventually wear in the seventh ring of hell,” must’ve struck a chord. A new rumor suggests that Disney and Lucasfilm have banned the use of Slave Leia in any and all Star Wars merchandising including action figures and comics.

In a posting on Facebook, Marvel Comics cover artist J. Scott Campbell said that the outfit is well on its way to retirement:

Daisy Ridley won’t have to fight against anything. Disney is already well on it’s way to wiping out the “slave” outfit from any future products period. You will NOT see and future merchandising featuring the slave outfit ever again. Trust me […] I’ve heard it from two sources. We can’t even draw Leia in a sexy pose at Marvel, let alone in that outfit! We also had a 3-D [Slave Leia] statue killed at a major manufacturer because there will no longer be any [Slave Leia] merchandise.

Some fans will no doubt be disappointed to see such an iconic part of Star Wars lore all but forgotten, but the Slave Leia costume has come under increasing fire in recent years as the Star Wars franchise has struggled to keep up with the times. Earlier this summer, parents were upset over Slave Leia figures, complete with large, metal chain connected to her collar, up for sale in Target alongside other toys for kids. Then there was some controversy over the lack of female figures in the Star Wars toy lines, specifically for many years that Slave Leia was the only female figure in the popular Black Series line, and the tone deaf response of “Hasbro feels they have released plenty of female characters.”

It’s shouldn’t be entirely surprising that Disney, looking to a more all-inclusive Star Wars universe, wants to put Slave Leia behind them. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is currently struggling in one key demographic — young women — and they want this universe to be something that’s not just for the boys. Not entirely surprising considering the hero over this new trilogy of films is a young woman, Rey. In addition to treating its future characters with a little more respect, you can expect to see future iterations of Leia in the marketing focus more on some of her more heroic actions.

Although, you can still buy this figure of Minnie Mouse dressed in the Slave Leia costume.

We reached out to Lucasfilm for comment and, surprise, have not yet heard back.